What Are the Differences Between Polyvinyl Alcohol 1788, 2488, and 2699? Understanding Workability, Bonding Strength, and Relative Water Resistance from the Perspective of Degree of Polymerization and Degree of Hydrolysis

1 Introduction

In wall putty, mortar, slurry-applied roughening coats, construction adhesives, and coating systems, polyvinyl alcohol is a commonly used water-soluble polymer material. When selecting polyvinyl alcohol, many users encounter a practical question: if they are all polyvinyl alcohol, why does 1788 usually offer better workability, why does 2488 contribute higher strength but feel more viscous, and why does 2699 provide better relative water resistance but is difficult to dissolve rapidly in cold water like ordinary low-hydrolysis PVA? The performance differences among 1788, 2488, and 2699 mainly come from two key parameters: degree of polymerization and degree of hydrolysis.

The degree of polymerization determines the length of the molecular chain and affects the viscosity of the aqueous solution, film-forming strength, bonding strength, and application feel. The degree of hydrolysis determines the ratio of hydroxyl groups to residual acetate groups on the molecular chain, thereby affecting dissolution temperature, dissolution rate, water resistance, and water stability after film formation.

2 What Is Polyvinyl Alcohol?

Polyvinyl alcohol, abbreviated as PVA and also written as PVOH, is a type of polymer material with water solubility, film-forming ability, adhesion, and protective colloid properties. It is widely used in building materials, adhesives, coatings, textile sizing agents, and paper processing.

PVA is not produced directly by polymerizing “vinyl alcohol monomer.” Vinyl alcohol monomer itself is unstable. In industrial production, vinyl acetate is usually first polymerized to form polyvinyl acetate, abbreviated as PVAc, and then polyvinyl alcohol is obtained through alcoholysis.

The production process of PVA can be simplified into two steps.

2.1 Step One: Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate to Produce Polyvinyl Acetate, PVAc

n CH2=CH-OCOCH3 → [-CH2-CH(OCOCH3)-]n

At this stage, PVAc is formed. Its main chain is a carbon chain, and its side groups contain acetate groups, -OCOCH3.

2.2 Step Two: Alcoholysis of PVAc to Produce PVA

[-CH2-CH(OCOCH3)-]n + n CH3OH → [-CH2-CH(OH)-]n + n CH3COOCH3

Polyvinyl acetate PVAc   Methanol   Polyvinyl alcohol PVA   Methyl acetate

The core change in this reaction is the conversion of side groups: the original acetate group -OCOCH3 is converted into a hydroxyl group -OH. Therefore, the PVA molecular chain may contain hydroxyl groups that have already been converted, while also retaining some acetate groups that have not been fully converted. This conversion ratio is the basis for understanding the degree of hydrolysis.

2.3 What Exactly Does Degree of Hydrolysis Mean?

Degree of hydrolysis, abbreviated as DH, refers to the proportion of acetate groups on the PVAc molecular chain that have been converted into hydroxyl groups.

It can be represented using a simplified structure:

[-CH2-CH(OH)-]x + [-CH2-CH(OCOCH3)-]y

Vinyl alcohol units   Residual vinyl acetate units

The degree of hydrolysis can be simply understood as:

Degree of hydrolysis = Number of vinyl alcohol units ÷ Total number of repeating units × 100%

If a certain PVA has a degree of hydrolysis of 88%, it can be approximately understood as follows: among every 100 repeating structural units, about 88 units have been converted into vinyl alcohol units containing hydroxyl groups, while about 12 units still retain acetate groups. If the degree of hydrolysis is 99%, it can be approximately understood as follows: among every 100 repeating structural units, about 99 units have been converted into vinyl alcohol units, with very few residual acetate groups remaining.

3 What Do the Numbers 1788, 2488, and 2699 Represent?

3.1 The First Two Digits: Reflecting Degree of Polymerization, Molecular Weight, or Viscosity Grade

In the domestic building materials industry, the first two digits in 1788, 2488, and 2699 are often approximately understood as indicating the degree of polymerization or molecular weight grade. For example, 17, 24, and 26 correspond to different molecular chain length grades. The larger the number, the longer the molecular chain usually is, the higher the molecular weight, and the higher the viscosity of the aqueous solution.

However, 17, 24, and 26 are not absolute degree-of-polymerization values. Naming rules may vary among different manufacturers and different grade systems. In some international grade systems, the number at the front is more commonly used to indicate the viscosity grade of a 4% aqueous solution at 20°C. This viscosity grade indirectly reflects the relative molecular weight and degree of polymerization. Therefore, grade numbers alone should not be used for selection. The manufacturer’s TDS or COA should also be checked for the degree of hydrolysis, viscosity of a 4% aqueous solution, degree of polymerization or molecular weight range, particle size, whether the product is instant-soluble, and recommended dissolution conditions.

3.2 The Last Two Digits: Reflecting Degree of Hydrolysis

The 88 and 99 at the end of 1788, 2488, and 2699 mainly represent the degree of hydrolysis.

Grade	Last Two Digits	Degree of Hydrolysis Characteristics	Type
1788	88	Degree of hydrolysis is usually about 87%–89%	Partially hydrolyzed PVA
2488	88	Degree of hydrolysis is usually about 87%–89%	Partially hydrolyzed PVA
2699	99	Degree of hydrolysis is usually about 98%–99% or above	Fully or nearly fully hydrolyzed PVA

The last two digits of both 1788 and 2488 are 88, indicating that their degrees of hydrolysis are similar and that a certain amount of acetate groups remains in the molecular chain. The last two digits of 2699 are 99, indicating that its degree of hydrolysis is very high and that most acetate groups have been converted into hydroxyl groups.

4 How Degree of Polymerization Affects Viscosity, Strength, and Workability

Degree of polymerization, abbreviated as DP, refers to the average number of repeating structural units contained in a polymer chain. For PVA, the higher the degree of polymerization, the longer the molecular chain and the higher the molecular weight. In industrial PVA products, not every molecular chain has exactly the same length; there is always a certain molecular weight distribution. Therefore, in practical discussion, it is more appropriate to refer to a “degree-of-polymerization grade” or “molecular weight grade.”

4.1 The Higher the Degree of Polymerization, the Higher the Viscosity of the Aqueous Solution

After PVA dissolves in water, it does not simply disperse like small-molecule salts. Instead, individual polymer chains extend, entangle, and restrict one another in water. The shorter the molecular chains, the less entanglement there is between chains, the lower the flow resistance of the aqueous solution, and the lower the viscosity. The longer the molecular chains, the more easily they entangle with one another, increasing molecular movement resistance and raising the viscosity of the aqueous solution.

This is why, when the degree of hydrolysis is similar, the viscosity of 2488 is significantly higher than that of 1788. In putty and mortar, this difference directly affects the application feel:

Grade	Degree of Polymerization / Viscosity Grade	Application Performance
1788	Relatively low	Moderate viscosity, easy to mix, relatively smooth during troweling
2488	Relatively high	Obvious thickening effect, stickier feel, more likely to drag during troweling
2699	Relatively high, with high degree of hydrolysis	If not fully pre-dissolved, poor dispersion and particle issues may occur

4.2 The Higher the Degree of Polymerization, the Higher the Film-Forming Strength and Bonding Strength Usually Are

The bonding effect of PVA largely comes from the continuous polymer film it forms during drying. After PVA dries and forms a film, its strength mainly comes from three aspects:

① Entanglement between molecular chains.

② Hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups.

③ The continuous film structure formed after drying.

The higher the degree of polymerization, the longer the molecular chains, the more contact points there are between chains, and the stronger the chain entanglement. When subjected to tensile, shear, or peel forces, long chains are less likely to slide as a whole or be pulled apart. Therefore, film-forming strength, cohesive strength, and bonding strength are usually higher.

This is why, under the same formulation, the same dosage, and conditions where the PVA is fully dispersed or dissolved, 2488 usually provides higher film cohesion, surface hardness, and bonding contribution than 1788.

4.3 The Higher the Degree of Polymerization, the More Difficult Dissolution and Dispersion Become

When high-polymerization PVA comes into contact with water, the outer layer of the particles first absorbs water and swells, forming a high-viscosity gel layer. This gel layer prevents water from further penetrating into the interior of the particles. As a result, the outer layer becomes sticky while the inside has not fully dissolved, eventually forming gel lumps, undissolved particles, or “fish eyes.”

Although 2488 and 1788 are both 88-hydrolysis PVA and are generally easier to disperse and dissolve at lower temperatures than 99-hydrolysis PVA, ordinary powdered PVA is not the same as cold-water instant PVA. Because 2488 has a higher degree of polymerization or viscosity grade, its actual dissolution rate is usually slower than that of 1788, and it is more sensitive to mixing, dispersion, and pre-dissolution conditions.

In dry-mix putty, mortar, or slurry-applied roughening systems, if 2488 is not well dispersed, the following problems may occur:

① Undissolved particles may appear when the mixing time is insufficient.

② Localized gel formation may occur, resulting in an uneven system.

③ The troweling feel may become stickier, increasing application resistance.

④ Strength may increase, but workability may decline.

The influence of degree of polymerization is therefore a linked relationship: the higher the degree of polymerization, the better the strength and the higher the viscosity, but the more difficult the workability and dissolution also become.

5 How Degree of Hydrolysis Affects Solubility and Water Resistance

The degree of hydrolysis determines the ratio of hydroxyl groups to residual acetate groups in the PVA molecular chain. This ratio affects the strength of hydrogen bonding between molecular chains, crystallization tendency, and the ability of water to penetrate into the molecular chains.

5.1 Why 88-Hydrolysis PVA Has Better Low-Temperature Solubility

1788 and 2488 are 88-hydrolysis PVA grades, and part of the acetate groups remains on their molecular chains. The presence of acetate groups disrupts the regular arrangement between molecular chains, making it difficult for excessively strong and dense hydrogen bonds and crystalline regions to form between chains.

The less regular the molecular chain arrangement, the easier it is for water molecules to enter between chains and gradually wet, swell, and disperse PVA particles. Therefore, 88-hydrolysis PVA is usually easier to dissolve at lower temperatures than 99-hydrolysis PVA. This is also an important reason why 1788 and 2488 are suitable for ordinary putty, mortar, slurry-applied roughening coats, and other systems that are mixed with water on site.

5.2 Why 99-Hydrolysis 2699 Is Difficult to Dissolve in Cold Water

2699 is a 99-hydrolysis PVA grade. Most of the acetate groups on its molecular chains have already been converted into hydroxyl groups. Hydroxyl groups themselves are hydrophilic groups, but when there are too many hydroxyl groups, stronger and denser hydrogen bonds form between molecular chains. This leads to two results:

① The bonding between molecular chains becomes tighter.

② The molecular chains are arranged more regularly, resulting in a stronger tendency toward crystallization.

Therefore, although 99-hydrolysis PVA contains more hydroxyl groups, cold water cannot easily open up these tightly bonded molecular chains. For water molecules to enter the interior of the molecular chains, they must first break the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and part of the crystalline region structure, which is difficult at low temperatures. Usually, after heating to about 90–95°C with continuous stirring, the movement of water molecules increases, the mobility of PVA molecular chains improves, and the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and part of the crystalline structure are gradually disrupted. Only then can 2699 dissolve more sufficiently.

5.3 Why Degree of Hydrolysis Affects Water Resistance

Water resistance can be understood as whether the dried PVA film is likely to absorb water again, swell, soften, or be damaged after contact with water.

Because 88-hydrolysis PVA retains a certain amount of acetate groups, its molecular chain regularity is lower, and the hydrogen bonding and crystallization between chains are relatively weaker. After the dry film comes into contact with water, water molecules can more easily enter the film structure, causing the film to absorb water, soften, or swell again. Therefore, the water resistance of 1788 and 2488 is relatively weak. In 99-hydrolysis PVA, there are more hydroxyl groups, stronger hydrogen bonding between chains, and higher crystallinity. After drying and film formation, the structure becomes denser. It is more difficult for water molecules to re-enter and disrupt the film structure, so the water resistance of 2699 is usually significantly better than that of 1788 and 2488.

It should be made clear that the better relative water resistance of 2699 does not mean that 2699 itself is a waterproof material. PVA is still essentially a water-soluble polymer containing a large number of hydroxyl groups. To obtain truly high water resistance, it is usually necessary to combine PVA with crosslinking agents, emulsions, cement hydration products, acetalization reactions, or other film-forming systems.

6 Performance Comparison of 1788, 2488, and 2699

Comparison Item	PVA 1788	PVA 2488	PVA 2699
Core parameters	Medium degree-of-polymerization grade, 88-hydrolysis	Higher degree-of-polymerization grade, 88-hydrolysis	Higher degree-of-polymerization grade, 99-hydrolysis
Molecular chain length	Shorter	Longer	Longer
Viscosity of aqueous solution	Lower	Higher	High
Film-forming strength	Medium	Relatively high	High
Bonding strength	Can meet the needs of ordinary building material systems	Higher than 1788	High, but only after sufficient dissolution
Workability	Relatively smooth during troweling, easier to mix	Stickier feel, higher requirements for mixing and dispersion	Not suitable for direct use as a cold-water instant PVA
Solubility	Better low-temperature solubility	Better low-temperature solubility, but slower than 1788	Difficult to dissolve in cold water; usually requires hot-water pre-dissolution
Water resistance	Relatively weak	Relatively weak, but film-forming strength is higher than 1788	Better among the three
Common appearance	White or slightly yellowish powder or granules	White or slightly yellowish powder or granules	White or slightly yellowish granules, flakes, fibrous form, or powder
Typical applications	Ordinary putty, ordinary mortar, slurry-applied roughening coats, ordinary construction adhesives	High-strength putty, strength-oriented mortar, construction adhesives, adhesive systems	High-strength adhesives, water-resistant adhesive systems, coating auxiliary film-forming systems, or water-resistance modification systems

7 Selection Logic in Putty, Mortar, and Construction Adhesives

7.1 When Workability Is the Priority, 1788 Is Preferred

Ordinary putty, ordinary mortar, slurry-applied roughening coats, and similar systems usually place greater emphasis on workability and dispersion stability. The material needs to be easy to mix, smooth during troweling, not prone to obvious dragging, and less likely to produce particles or localized gel lumps. 1788 has a lower degree of polymerization than 2488, giving it a more moderate aqueous solution viscosity, lower dispersion and dissolution difficulty, and better adaptability to on-site mixing conditions. Putty made with 1788 usually has lower strength than putty made with 2488, but it offers better application feel and is more suitable for ordinary construction scenarios.

7.2 When Strength Is the Priority, 2488 Is Preferred

When the formulation target is to improve the bonding strength, surface hardness, cohesive strength, or anti-powdering ability of putty, 2488 has more advantages than 1788. This is because 2488 has a higher degree of polymerization, longer molecular chains, and stronger cohesion after film formation.

However, the difficulty of using 2488 is also obvious. It increases system viscosity and makes the troweling feel stickier. If mixing is insufficient, undissolved particles or localized gel lumps may occur. Especially in dry-mix mortar, putty powder, and other systems that are mixed with water on site, more attention must be paid to the dispersion method, feeding sequence, mixing time, and dosage control when using 2488.

7.3 When Water Resistance Is the Priority, 2699 Is More Suitable, but It Cannot Directly Replace 1788 and 2488

2699 has a degree of hydrolysis close to full hydrolysis, strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and a higher tendency toward crystallization. Under the same film-forming conditions, its dry film usually has better relative water resistance than 1788 and 2488. It is more suitable for high-strength construction adhesives, water-resistant adhesive systems, auxiliary systems for interior and exterior wall coatings, and materials with higher requirements for water stability.

However, 2699 cannot simply replace 1788 or 2488 in ordinary putty and mortar. There are three main reasons:

① Ordinary 2699 grades are difficult to dissolve in cold water and usually require heating to about 90–95°C with continuous stirring to dissolve sufficiently.

② If 2699 is not fully dissolved, it cannot effectively provide bonding and film-forming performance, and may instead form particles, gel lumps, and dispersion defects.

③ Although 2699 has better water resistance, truly high-water-resistance materials still require the cooperation of the entire formulation system and cannot rely solely on PVA as a single raw material.

In building material applications, 2699 is more suitable as a component in pre-dissolved adhesive solutions or water-resistance modification systems. It is not suitable for direct use in ordinary cold-water on-site mixed dry-powder systems in the same way as 1788 and 2488.

7.4 Quick Judgment: What Should Be Considered During Grade Selection?

Selection Question	Main Parameter to Consider	Selection Direction
Is the aqueous solution thick? Does it feel sticky during application?	Degree of polymerization / viscosity grade	1788 is lower, 2488 is higher, and 2699 is higher
Is the film-forming strength and bonding force sufficient?	Degree of polymerization / molecular weight grade	2488 is usually stronger than 1788
Is it easy to dissolve at low temperature?	Degree of hydrolysis + degree of polymerization + particle size	88-hydrolysis grades are usually better than 99-hydrolysis grades; 1788 is usually easier to disperse than 2488
Is the water resistance good?	Degree of hydrolysis	2699 is significantly better than 1788 and 2488
What matters more for ordinary putty and mortar?	Workability and basic bonding	1788 is more commonly used, while 2488 is used to improve strength
What matters more for high-water-resistance adhesives or water-resistance modification?	Water resistance and film-forming stability	2699 is more suitable, but usually requires hot-water pre-dissolution

8 Classification Table of Representative Chemicals Related to Polyvinyl Alcohol

Table 1. Main Polyvinyl Alcohol Products, Upstream Monomers, and Related Resins

Category	CAS No.	Aladdin Catalog No.	Name	Specification or Purity	Product Features and Applications
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜88-hydrolysis workability grade	9002-89-5	P105124	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), 1788 Grade	Degree of hydrolysis: 87.0–89.0% (mol/mol)	Corresponds to 1788-grade polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for research on workability, dispersibility, and basic bonding performance in systems such as ordinary putty, ordinary mortar, slurry-applied roughening coats, and construction adhesives.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜88-hydrolysis medium-viscosity grade	9002-89-5	P140398	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Degree of hydrolysis: 87.0–89.0 mol%; viscosity: 20.5–24.5 mPa·s; volatile matter ≤6.0%	Polyvinyl alcohol with 87.0–89.0 mol% degree of hydrolysis and medium viscosity. Suitable for comparative experiments on partially hydrolyzed PVA structure, low-temperature dispersibility, and bonding performance in building material systems.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜18-88 grade	9002-89-5	M434365	Mowiol® 18-88 (PVA)	Mw ~130,000	18-88 grade polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for research on film formation, bonding, dissolution performance, and stability in aqueous systems for partially hydrolyzed PVA.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜88-hydrolysis high-viscosity grade	9002-89-5	P139540	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Degree of hydrolysis: 87.0–89.0 mol%; viscosity: 40.0–48.0 mPa·s	88-hydrolysis high-viscosity polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for experiments on viscosity, film-forming strength, and bonding force in strength-oriented putty, mortar, and construction adhesive systems.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜88-hydrolysis ultra-high-viscosity grade	9002-89-5	P139541	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Degree of hydrolysis: 87.0–89.0 mol%; viscosity: 80.0–110.0 mPa·s	88-hydrolysis ultra-high-viscosity polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for experiments on high bonding strength, high cohesion, application viscosity control, and evaluation of dispersion difficulty.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜88-hydrolysis high-molecular-weight grade	9002-89-5	P434375	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Average Mw 146,000–186,000; 87–89% hydrolyzed	High-molecular-weight, 87–89% hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for studying the influence of degree of polymerization on aqueous-solution viscosity, film-forming strength, and bonding strength.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜99-hydrolysis grade	9002-89-5	P105126	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), 1799 Grade	Degree of hydrolysis: 98–99% (mol/mol)	1799-grade high-hydrolysis polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for experiments on the influence of degree of hydrolysis on hot-water dissolution, water resistance, and film-forming stability.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜99-hydrolysis high-viscosity grade	9002-89-5	P139535	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Degree of hydrolysis: 98.0–99.0 mol%; viscosity: 54.0–66.0 mPa·s	High-hydrolysis, high-viscosity polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for experiments involving water-resistant adhesives, auxiliary film formation in coatings, high-strength adhesive systems, and hot-water dissolution.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜99-hydrolysis high-molecular-weight grade	9002-89-5	P434368	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Mw 146,000–186,000; 99% hydrolyzed	High-molecular-weight, 99% hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for research on water resistance, film-forming strength, and intermolecular hydrogen bonding under a high-hydrolysis structure.
Main polyvinyl alcohol product｜99-hydrolysis medium-to-high-molecular-weight grade	9002-89-5	P434370	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Mw 85,000–124,000; 99% hydrolyzed	99% hydrolyzed medium-to-high-molecular-weight polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable for experiments on water-resistant adhesives, coating film formation, and structure-property relationships of water-soluble polymers.
Upstream monomer	108-05-4	V104471	Vinyl Acetate	Chemically pure (CP), ≥98%	An important upstream monomer for polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and ethylene-vinyl acetate materials. Suitable for research on polymerization and copolymerization reactions.
Related resin	9003-20-7	P304881	Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc)	Approx. M.W. 500,000	Precursor resin for polyvinyl alcohol alcoholysis. Suitable for experiments on alcoholysis reactions, white latex, adhesive film formation, and polymer modification.
Related resin	24937-78-8	P432376	Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (PEVA)	Vinyl acetate 12 wt.%; melt index 8 g/10 min (190°C/2.16 kg)	Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. Suitable for research related to polymer flexibility, film-forming modification, adhesives, and aqueous materials.

Table 2. Water-Retention and Thickening Additives, Rheology Modifiers, Dispersants, and Defoamers

Category	CAS No.	Aladdin Catalog No.	Name	Specification or Purity	Product Features and Applications
Water-retention and thickening additive	9004-65-3	H434479	Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)	Average Mn ~120,000	A commonly used water-retention and thickening material in putty and mortar. Suitable for research on open time, troweling performance, water-retention rate, and compatibility with polyvinyl alcohol.
Water-retention and thickening additive	9032-42-2	M498720	Methyl 2-Hydroxyethyl Cellulose	Viscosity 70,000–80,000 mPa·s, 2% in H2O (20°C)	A cellulose ether water-retention and thickening material. Suitable for experiments on rheology, sag resistance, and workability in cement-based and gypsum-based systems.
Water-retention and thickening additive	9004-62-0	H434475	2-Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)	Average Mw ~380,000	A commonly used thickener in waterborne coatings, adhesives, and emulsion systems. Suitable for research on viscosity adjustment and system stability of polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solutions.
Water-retention and thickening additive	9004-67-5	M112869	Methylcellulose (MC)	100,000 mPa·s	A water-soluble cellulose ether. Suitable for experiments on water retention, thickening, and application rheology in adhesive, putty, and mortar systems.
Water-retention and thickening additive	9004-32-4	C104978	Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)	Type II, M.W. 250,000 (DS=1.2), 1,500–3,100 mPa·s	An anionic water-soluble cellulose derivative. Suitable for thickening, suspension, and stabilization experiments in waterborne adhesives, coatings, and slurry systems.
Thixotropy-modifying additive	9049-76-7	H304935	Hydroxypropyl Starch Ether	Viscosity: 500–20,000 mPa·s, 5% aqueous solution, 20°C	A starch ether construction-performance modifier. Suitable for experiments on sag resistance, thixotropy, troweling feel, and compatibility with polyvinyl alcohol in putty and mortar.
Rheology and suspension additive	1302-78-9	N431707	Nanoclay, Hydrophilic Bentonite	—	Hydrophilic bentonite nanoclay. Suitable for experiments on suspension stability, thixotropy modification, and anti-settling performance in coating, putty, and adhesive systems.
Dispersing additive	9003-04-7	P434409	Sodium Polyacrylate (PAAS)	Average Mw ~8,000; 45% in H2O	A waterborne dispersant. Suitable for dispersion of inorganic powder slurries such as calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin, as well as stability experiments in polyvinyl alcohol composite systems.
Dispersing additive	10124-56-8	S1373430	Sodium Hexametaphosphate	~65% (P2O5)	An inorganic powder dispersing additive. Suitable for experiments on pigment and filler slurry dispersion, suspension stability, and dispersion performance in putty and mortar systems.
Defoaming additive	63148-62-9	S433162	Silicone Oil	Viscosity 10,000 cSt (25°C)	A silicone-based defoaming base material. Suitable for defoaming experiments in polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, coatings, slurries, and mortar admixture systems.

Table 3. Crosslinking and Water-Resistance Additives, Coupling Modification Materials, Cementitious Materials, and Inorganic Binders

Category	CAS No.	Aladdin Catalog No.	Name	Specification or Purity	Product Features and Applications
Aldehyde crosslinking agent	111-30-8	G105908	Glutaraldehyde (50%)	Photographic grade, 50% in H2O	A dialdehyde crosslinking agent. Suitable for experiments on hydroxyl crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol, water-resistant film preparation, wet strength, and adhesive modification.
Aldehyde crosslinking agent	107-22-2	G103130	Glyoxal Solution	Molecular biology grade, 40% in H2O (8.8 M)	A dialdehyde aqueous solution. Suitable for crosslinking and water-resistance experiments involving hydroxyl-containing polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, starch, and cellulose.
Borate crosslinking material	10043-35-3	B140880	Boric Acid	≥99%	A crosslinking modifier for hydroxyl-containing polymers. Suitable for experiments on polyvinyl alcohol-borate complexation, gel formation, and viscoelasticity control.
Borate crosslinking material	1303-96-4	S112464	Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate	Chemically pure (CP), ≥99%	A borate crosslinking material. Suitable for experiments on gelation, thickening, viscoelasticity, and water-resistance modification of polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solutions.
Silane coupling agent	919-30-2	A107147	3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS)	≥99%	An amino silane coupling agent. Suitable for interfacial bonding experiments among inorganic fillers, mineral substrates, and polyvinyl alcohol or resin systems.
Silane coupling agent	2530-83-8	G107576	3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane	≥97%	An epoxy-functional silane coupling agent. Suitable for inorganic powder surface treatment, adhesive interface modification, and water-resistant bonding experiments.
Cement-based cementitious material	1305-62-0	C491881	Calcium Hydroxide	≥99%	An alkaline inorganic material. Suitable for alkaline adjustment, cementitious reactions, and compatibility experiments with polyvinyl alcohol in lime-calcium-based putty, mortar, and coating systems.
Cement-based cementitious material	544-17-2	C755623	Calcium Formate	UltraBio™, ≥99% (T)	An early-strength and setting-accelerating material for cement systems. Suitable for experiments on early strength and the influence of polyvinyl alcohol compatibility in mortar, tile adhesive, and repair materials.
Gypsum-based cementitious material	10101-41-4	C101878	Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate	AR, ≥99%	A gypsum-based material component. Suitable for experiments on bonding, water retention, and forming performance in gypsum putty, leveling materials, and joint fillers.
Inorganic binder	1344-09-8	S302439	Sodium Silicate	Powder, Na₂O ≥18%, SiO₂ ≥60%	An inorganic binder. Suitable for experiments involving inorganic adhesives, refractory materials, mineral coatings, and polyvinyl alcohol composite bonding systems.
Inorganic binder	10102-24-6	L302065	Liquid Lithium Silicate	Modulus 4.8	A lithium silicate material. Suitable for experiments on inorganic coatings, floor hardening, mineral substrate surface densification, and water-resistance modification.

Table 4. Fillers, Pigments and Extenders, Preservatives, and Other Supporting Products

Category	CAS No.	Aladdin Catalog No.	Name	Specification or Purity	Product Features and Applications
Mineral filler	1332-58-7	K100132	Ultrafine Kaolin	3000 mesh, 5 μm, calcined	Ultrafine calcined kaolin. Suitable for experiments on fineness, hiding power, thixotropy, and filling performance in putty, coatings, and adhesives.
Mineral filler	471-34-1	C111986	Calcium Carbonate	≥99.5% metals basis, ≤30 μm	A calcium carbonate filler. Suitable for experiments on filling, sanding performance, cost control, and compatibility with polyvinyl alcohol in putty, mortar, coatings, and adhesives.
Pigment and hiding material	13463-67-7	T431947	Titanium Dioxide (IV)	Premium grade, ≥99%	A white pigment. Suitable for experiments on whiteness, hiding power, and dispersion performance in interior and exterior wall coatings, white putty, and adhesive systems.
Siliceous filler	14808-60-7	S124530	Quartz Sand	8–16 mesh or 1–2 mm	A siliceous mineral material. Suitable for experiments involving siliceous fillers, wear-resistant aggregates, mineral substrates, and polyvinyl alcohol composite systems.
Smooth-feel filler	14807-96-6	T109494	Talc Powder	800 mesh	A talc filler. Suitable for experiments on lubricity, sanding performance, application feel, and filling performance in putty, coatings, and adhesives.
Preservative	2634-33-5	B107479	1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT)	≥98%	An isothiazolinone preservative. Suitable for preservation experiments in aqueous systems such as polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, emulsions, coatings, and slurries.
Preservative	2682-20-4	M110103	2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MIT)	≥95%	An active preservative for aqueous systems. Suitable for storage-stability experiments involving waterborne adhesives, coatings, emulsions, and polyvinyl alcohol solutions.
Preservative	26172-55-4	C183242	Isothiazolinone CMI/MI	Mixture of CMI and MI, 2.0–2.5% in water, pH: 2.0–5.0	A compounded isothiazolinone preservative system. Suitable for preservation experiments in waterborne adhesives, coatings, slurries, and polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solutions.
Preservative	55965-84-9	M193940	Isothiazolinone	14% in H2O	A preservative for aqueous systems. Suitable for microbial control experiments in adhesives, coatings, emulsions, slurries, and polyvinyl alcohol solutions.

Note: The above products are representative products from Aladdin related to polyvinyl alcohol and building-material formulation research. They can be used as references for small-scale verification, performance comparison, and formulation screening. Different products may vary in degree of hydrolysis, viscosity, molecular weight, particle size, dissolution conditions, and suitable application scenarios, and they do not necessarily correspond one-to-one with commonly used industrial building-material raw-material grades. For actual grade selection and formulation scale-up, it is recommended to consider the specific application requirements and refer to the product page, TDS, COA, and technical documentation. More product specifications, grades, and testing information can be further searched on the Aladdin website using the “product name/CAS/catalog number.”

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